The State Border Committee of Belarus is technically ready for the introduction of small border traffic with Lithuania and Latvia

August 13, Polotsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. The State Border Committee of Belarus is technically fully ready for the introduction of small border traffic with Lithuania and Latvia, the Chairman of the State Border Committee Igor Rachkovsky told reporters today, answering a question from a BELTA correspondent. The head of the border guards took part in the solemn ceremony of taking the oath by soldiers called up for active service in the Polotsk border detachment.

According to Igor Rachkovsky, there are no obstacles to the implementation of small border traffic with Latvia and Lithuania. According to him, it remains to exchange notes with the Latvian side on the fulfillment of internal state procedures for the entry into force of the relevant agreements, and with the Lithuanian side, the issues of opening a simplified procedure for the movement of citizens are in the final stage. "There is no politics here, as some try to present it. There are conditions - the parties must prepare technically: to equip simplified crossing points, equip them, train personnel, and designate the zone with signs so that people do not get into awkward situations," explained the head of the border department.

The agreement on small border traffic allows residents of border areas to cross the border with special permits, which give the right to stay in a limited territory of a neighboring country for no more than 90 days within 6 months. Belarus has signed agreements on small border traffic with all neighboring EU member states. They have already been ratified by the National Assembly, but have not yet entered into force. -0-